Israel extends hand of peace to Mahmoud Abbas

Euronews

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in responding to President Mahmoud Abbas told the UN General Assembly that the programme of settlements in the West Bank is not the cause of the conflict between his nation and the Palestinians. He focused on what he believes is at the heart of the divisions.

“The core of the conflict is not the settlements. The settlements are a result of the conflict. The core of the conflict has always been, and unfortunately remains, the refusal of the Palestinians to recognise a Jewish state in any border.

“I think it’s time that the Palestinian leadership recognises what every serious international leader has recognised: Israel is the Jewish state,” he said and concluded with a direct appeal to President Abbas for the two of them to meet in New York for peace talks.

“President Abbas why don’t you join me? We have to stop negotiating about the negotiations. Let’s just get on with it. Let’s negotiate peace,” he said.